

TBM Selection and Specification

By Bradford F. Townsend and Paul E. Jenkins

Date: 13 June 2009

 TBM Selection and Specification

 TBM Selection - Challenges to be met

 TBM Technology
 Auxiliary Measures and Backup
 New Developments
 Summary of Selection Process
 Procurements
 Specification
 Conclusions
 TBM Selection – Challenges to be Met

 Ground Movements
 Ground Water Control
 Excavation Stability
 Speed of Construction
 Dealing with the unforeseen
 Site Consideration
 Risk and Cost

 TBM Selection – Challenges to be Met

 Geology
 Tunnel Alignment
– Design and build to negotiate both Vert. & Horiz. Alignment
 Tunnel Diameter
 Site Restrictions
– Mechanisms to deliver, assemble and launch the TBM will
impact TBM type employed
 Local Experience and Availability
 Project Time-frame
– TBM can be customised exactly in accordance with projects
specification
 TBM Selection - Challenges to be Met

DSD Tsuen Wan Drainage Tunnel

KDB200 – Kowloon Southern Link WIL 703 – West Island Line

SMART Tunnel (Singapore) CLP Castle Peak cable Tunnel

 TBM Selection and Specification

 TBM Selection - Challenges to be met

 TBM Technology
 Auxiliary Measures and Backup
 New Developments
 Summary of Selection Process
 Procurements
 Specification
 Conclusions
Pressure
Bulkhead
TBM Technology Push Cylinder
Shield Tail
Seal
Segments

Compressed Airlock

Cutting
Wheel

Excavation
Chamber
Cutting Wheel Erector Conveyor Belt
Drive
Screw Conveyor

 TBM Technology-Types of TBM

Open Mode TBM EPB TBM

Slurry Shield TBM Multi Head EPM TBM Mixed Shield TBM
 TBM Technology –Types of TBM
1. ‘O pen’H ard Rock TBM s
 Circular-Head Equipped with disc-cutters spaced in spiral
fashion from centre to periphery
 Selected for tunnels in solid rock (UCS 50-300MPa)
 Provides no means of preventing groundwater entering
the excavation

 TBM Technology – Open mode TBMs

Open Face Shields

Gripper Shield Segmental Shield Double Shield

 2.
TBM Technology – Principal Types of TBM
Shielded TBMs
 Suitable for low face stability
 Pre-cast concrete segmental lining constructed directly behind the
shield
 Different types of TBM shields to suit different ground conditions
(i.e. Slurry Machines, Mixed Shields, Earth Pressure Balance
Machines)
 Depending on ground conditions, Cutters discs or soft-ground
picks and scrapers may be equipped accordingly

 TBM Technology – Shield TBM (Closed) Family

Closed Face TBM

Mechanical Compressed Earth Pressure Mixed Face

Slurry Shield Shield
Support Air Shield Balance TBM
 TBM Technology – Slurry or Earth Pressure Balance??

Advantages of Earth Pressure Balance Machines

 In the event of face collapse, ground loss is limited
 Able to operate in open mode in firm ground
 Better production rates are possible
 Lower capital cost
 Smaller work Site and launch shaft
Advantages of Slurry TBMs
 Working pressure control is systematic
 Muck is only evident at the surface
 Less power requirement at cutterhead
 Less torque required
 Easier to understand and operate
 Reduced cutter wear, less frequent interventions

 TBM Selection and Specification

 TBM Selection - Challenges to be met

 TBM Technology
 Auxiliary Measures and Backup
 New Developments
 Summary of Selection Process
 Procurements
 Specification
 Conclusions
 Auxiliary Measures and Back-up -
Precast segmental lining

 Auxiliary Measures and Back-up -

Cutter Disc
 Auxiliary Measures - Site Constraints
 Segment Storage

 TBM Back-up

 Slurry treatment plant

 Compressed Air
 Medical locks
 Electrical sub-station

 Excavated material storage

 Cutter workshop
 Bentonite / conditioner storage

 Auxiliary Measures and Back-up -

Slurry Plant
 Auxiliary Measures - Facilities

 Automatic guidance system

 Real time information
 Automated segment erection

 TBM Selection and Specification

 TBM Selection - Challenges to be met

 TBM Technology
 Auxiliary Measures and Backup
 New Developments
 Summary of Selection Process
 Procurements
 Specification
 Conclusions
 New Developments

Non-Circular Section by Tunnel

Boring Machine Technology
Non-Circular Tunnel Boring Machine

Example of tunnel cross section

 New Developments – Post Reaming

Tunnel Boring by Reaming - TBE

 TBM Selection and Specification

 TBM Selection - Challenges to be met

 TBM Technology
 Auxiliary Measures and Backup
 New Developments
 Summary of Selection Process
 Procurements
 Specification
 Conclusions

 Summary of Selection - Process

Is a TBM Required?

 Drive length / programme

 Ground conditions
 Ground water
 Environmental considerations
 Control of settlements
 Shape of the tunnel
 Summary of Selection - Process

What type of TBM

 Stability of the face

 Ground conditions
 Site constraints
 Special features

 Summary of Selection - Process

Are there remaining risks

 Unforeseen conditions
 Border line ground conditions
Is it clear what TBM should be selected?
 TBM Selection and Specification

 TBM Selection - Challenges to be met

 TBM Technology
 Auxiliary Measures and Backup
 New Developments
 Summary of Selection Process
 Procurement
 Specification
 Conclusions

 TBM Procurement

Level playing field

 State clearly the Employer’s Requirements

 Consider base lining the principal assumptions
 To specify or not to specify
 Cash flow
Who should procure?
 TBM Procurement
Employer Procurement
Advantages
 Potential programme
advantage
 Certainty of machine type
 Base lines a major risk
 Base lines functionality
 Greater certainty in
costs/cash flow
Disadvantage
 Claims from Contractor on
suitability
 Reduces contractor’s
innovation
 Suitability to final design
 Dictates method of working
 The client is sold a pup

 TBM Procurement
Contractor Procurement
Advantages Disadvantage
 Allows innovation in TBM  Long lead in times
design
 May seek to cut costs
 Best placed to manage risks
 Cash flow
 Utilisation of existing plant
 Use of preferred supplier
 High level of experience
 Total sign-up to delivery
 TBM Selection and Specification

 TBM Selection - Challenges to be met

 TBM Technology
 Auxiliary Measures and Backup
 New Developments
 Summary of Selection Process
 Procurements
 Specification
 Conclusions

 TBM Specification

 Only use detailed specification if you are sure that it

will meet the requirements
 Specification should not rule out and competition
 Clearly state Employer’s Requirements
 Check that the Specification is not in conflict with base
lined information
 Maintain options if compatible with approach
 Be mindful of Contractor’s preference
 TBM Selection and Specification

 TBM Selection - Challenges to be met

 TBM Technology
 Auxiliary Measures and Backup
 New Developments
 Summary of Selection Process
 Procurements
 Specification
 Conclusions

 TBM Selection and Specification -

Conclusions

 Knowledge of ground conditions is essential

 Knowledge of the possible impact of tunnelling is essential
 Be clear on what you are expecting the TBM to achieve
 Is your selection of TBM compatible with base line items
 Is your selection of TBM compatible with site constraints
 Determine who is best placed to procure the TBM
 Don’t over specify

TBM Selection and Specification

The End
Thank You